Reece Belotti retains British and Commonwealth titles against Levi Giles; Copper Box undercard round-up

In the night’s chief support at London’s Copper Box Arena, Reece Bellotti withstood a late flurry to retain his British and Commonwealth super-featherweight titles with a UD12 (118-110 x 2, 117-110) win over Levi Giles.

The action didn’t live up to the raucous billing preceding it, though the 33-year-old utilised sustained body work and savvy combination punching on the outside to build a big lead against a game opponent not active enough to deter his attacks. 

Teenage light-middleweight talent Emmanuel Buttigieg flirted with a finish, but settled with a shutout win over six rounds against Czech’s Jiri Hauke after badly wobbling him in the third.

Body-head flurries worked well, followed with uppercuts and he absorbed some steady resistance before unloading furiously in the final half-minute of an entertaining contest.

Essex youngster John Hedges is now the new Southern Area cruiserweight champion after earning a unanimous technical decision (59-56 x 2, 58-57) against Lewis Oakford in a tussle of unbeaten 200lb hopefuls.

Oakford was cut badly above his left eye early in round six after an accidental clash of heads he initiated, so they went to the scorecards.

Jasmina Zapotoczna countered beautifully and produced a disciplined evening’s work to score an upset win over the previously-unbeaten Maisey Rose Courtney for the WBA International flyweight title.

98-92, 97-93, 96-94 read the three judges’ scorecards after 10 rounds, with promoter Eddie Hearn visibly bemused at how wide two of them were.

After a tense first round, the Wakefield resident timed the favourite nicely to negate her persistent pressure.

Each dismissive head nod gave Jasmina more confidence, digging body shots and landing overhand rights as Courtney’s come-forward approach was predictable and proved costly.

Barnet teenage heavyweight Lewie Pochetty improved to 3-0 and banked a valuable four rounds against the stubborn eight-year pro Amine Boucetta, winning 40-36 after threatening a finish in the final seconds.

“Cut the ring,” was a constant cry ringside as the 19-year-old pinned his Belgian foe against the ropes and connected with crowd-pleasing haymakers before getting caught upon occasion during a third bout in six weeks to start his promising career.

Jimmy Sains’ 100 per cent stoppage streak continues after his duel with Damien Lacoudray was waved off in the fifth by referee Mark Bates.

The Brentwood-based middleweight began with patient body work and a stiff jab, before unloading uppercuts as his French opponent wasn’t deterred from boxing in the pocket.

Sains’ success was stifled up close but Lacoudray was warned after leading with his head and that spurred the 21-year-old into gear, landing a series of unanswered stinging shots to end proceedings as the bell sounded.

More urgency was needed for Aldershot’s Giorgio Visioli to get the knockout he craved over six rounds against Tampele Maharusi, winning 60-54 after going the distance for the first time.

The super-featherweight prospect moved to 4-0 without too much fuss, stalking his Tanzanian opponent – clearly wary of the youngster’s left hand and repeatedly being stung but evading sustained danger.